6 replies to this topic

[Loops117]

Well. I wasnt sure on were to find it, so i'll ask.

 

What's more beneficial for queens with workers.

 

The final nest and outworld for them to settle in.

 

Or

 

Founding Formicarium, then eventually moving to the larger nest.

I am in the process of building one for my new colony, and was debating on making the outworld into a founding formi. The only problem is I won’t be able to heat the nest separately from the outworld. Will a full sized nest be too big for them to start off in?  I don’t want to move these guys once they settle since they’re so temperamental.

[Rattus]

First of all, that might vary from species to species, but I would choose good-ventilated, full-sized(long-term) soil nest, if you have space and so on. For carved-out nests it is better to go with smaller ones first, because of the junk storage. For instance, one of mine colonies live in a test tube on their future nest, which is a soil nest, and dump all their junk in the arena. Basically, the nesting container is in the arena.

Easier to clean, if you use sand with a light color out there.

Edited by Rattus, May 10 2016 - 7:08 AM.

[Crystals]

Unless you are going dirt, start small and upgrade as you go.

 

Various setups for founding queens - http://www.formicult...ounding-queens/

[Loops117]

Sounds like founding formi it is. I don't want to go dirt just yet.

[Crystals]

Some species do well in dirt, I personally do not like it (then again, I do not have any of the species that do poorly in pre-formed formicariums).  Dirt has potential to collapse, grow mold, and often dirty glass hinders viewing. 

I prefer pre-formed formicariums.  They can be built out of so many materials and made so many different ways. 

[Loops117]

Thank you crystals. You've been super informative since my start here. Your tuts have helped me with a lot, and i'll continue to use them.

Since this colony was found completely out of dirt, and between two pieces of plastic, i believe they should be fine in a pre-cast.

Edited by Loops117, May 10 2016 - 8:19 AM.

[Mdrogun]

Loops117 I would not order a nest for them yet, If the colony dies you will have no way to get them out of the nest and it will be a complete waste of money. I would recommend you start off with a test tube and put it in a outworld of some sort. If the colony continues to grow then, order a nest for them. You may find you dislike this species because you will have to constantly find different sources of food for them. They are very picky.